Council OKs Nucleus trial stop sign

A four-way stop for Nucleus Avenue has gotten the OK.

The Columbia Falls City Council Monday approved installing a stop sign on Nucleus Avenue at Sixth Street West on a trial basis. The vote was split 4-3.

“This boils down to our job to protect the public health, safety and welfare,” councilman Doug Karper said. “It’s important to at least see and try.”

The council approved a trial period for the four-way stop with review to come in September. The cost for a four-way stop is $300 per intersection. The signs should be installed within a few weeks.

Mayor Don Barnhart and councilmen Mike Shepard and Shawn Bates voted against the measure.

Barnhart said he felt crosswalk signs in the middle of three intersections would do more to promote pedestrian safety.

“I don’t think we’re going to do much with one stop sign,” he said.

Several members of the public spoke during the meeting asking the city to install the stop signs for safety concerns.

“A stop sign is much more observed than a crosswalk,” one gentleman said. “A stop sign will add security to pedestrians and drivers.”

Councilman Dave Petersen said a stop sign could help not only with safety issues, but also help businesses by getting folks to slow down on Nucleus.

“A stop sign is for safety, but it also says we’re open for business,” Petersen said.

Councilman Mike Shepard disagreed saying that the services offered is why folks visit businesses. He also said he has concerns about cars getting backed up down the hill on Nucleus when the roads are slick.

“We should try to apply a little bit of practicality to this,” he said.

Last month the council tied 3-3 in a vote to install the signs. Bates was absent from that meeting.

Monday councilman Harvey Reikofski changed his vote saying he would be willing to see the signs installed on a trial basis.

After the vote, the council also decided to pursue getting more visible crosswalk signs installed on the side of the street at the other intersections. Nucleus is a state road and the city will have to ask the state Department of Transportation to install the crosswalk signs.

“We need to get good visible signs at all the intersections,” Barnhart said.

In other news, the council:

• Removed an item from its agenda on writing a letter of support to move the library from City Hall to Glacier Discovery Square. First Best Place had requested the letter, but has now asked to postpone the request.

• Voted on the first reading to change an ordinance dealing with clear vision triangles. The change will require the city to only step in when there is a complaint about a blocked triangle.

• Honored three city employees. Police Chief Dave Perry marked 20 years of service with the city. Gary Root and Art Ott both won awards in the city’s fitness challenge.